Today

This "aw"-inspiring British import demonstrates that as a baby grows, so does the love. Repeating the titular word, Wordsworth follows the development of a young tot, beginning as the tiny baby snuggles in a caregiver's arms: "Today you're a little bit bigger.There's more of you to love!" The baby grows older and lies under a mobile, reaching for toys ("Today you're a little bit louder.I love hearing your voice!"). Soon the child is sitting up and grabbing at a most displeased household cat: "Today you're a little bit curiouser.So keen to make friends!" Before we know it, the youngster's an inquisitive toddler, carefully examining a snail in the garden: "Today you're a little bit braver.Never stop exploring!" Breezy text homes in on important milestones-like taking those first independent steps-as well as moments that are just plain sweet and joyful, like a giggly bathtime. Wordsworth folds a little bit of extra love into his words, while Wright's gentle pastels and patterned clothing, blankets, and dotted green landscapes add texture to this warm tale that's ideal for new parents. The adult has tan skin, a slightly darker shade than the baby's. A snuggle-worthy read-aloud. * Kirkus Reviews *
Steering carefully between heart-warming and schmaltzy, this is a genuinely lovely and eminently relatable picturebook, which will remind the very 'grown-up' reception children of all the milestones they have successfully negotiated. The gently repetitive text 'Today, you're a little bit ..' with a different descriptive adjective for each double page spread and an explanatory, loving comment on the facing page, starts with the newborn being a little bit bigger: 'There's more of you to love!' We then get louder, sillier, smarter, curiouser, faster etc., as we move through the stages of verbalising, playing, exploring and moving. The delicate pastel illustrations are full of familiar detail and textures and capture expression, body language and emotions particularly well. I especially like the 'curiouser' double spread, where a long-suffering cat is portrayed beneath: 'so keen to make friends!' This would be the perfect book to accompany the 'All about me' topics that invariably form part of the Foundation curriculum in most schools. Children might be encouraged to bring in photographs of their own milestone moments, and it will provoke lots of valuable discussion and sharing. It might also comfort those children who are missing home by reminding them of how much they are loved. It would also, of course make the perfect gift for any parents with a newborn and will also remind families of all the steps they have taken together with their offspring. -- Joy Court * BooksForKeeps *